Sponsored by Water Odyssey

Kiddie pools were popular in public parks a few decades ago and were installed for toddlers who were too small to swim in larger pools. Unfortunately, with the rise of new aquatic trends, these areas have become dead zones in many parks. Kiddie pools tend not to draw a lot of interest, as they are just stagnant bodies of water with little playability. 

The National League of Cities (NLC) released its 2024 State of the Cities report, an in-depth exploration of the complex challenges confronting municipal governments and the strategic objectives city leaders adopt to elevate the quality of life for their residents. 

The National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) hosted a virtual media briefing , The Critical Role of the Emergency Action Plan (EAP): Saving Lives & Reducing Risk of Injury, and unveiled ground breaking updates from its just published Position Statement: Emergency Action Plan Development and Implementation in Sport.

CLIF BAR’s energy snack bar brand for active kids, Zbar, announced a significant $1M partnership with nonprofit KABOOM! to help communities nationwide build nature-based play spaces for kids, focusing on areas that are lacking access to green space or opportunities for outdoor recreation. 

The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) and the City of Chattanooga announced the grand opening of Lynnbrook Park, a transformative project revitalizing a 1.4-acre former empty lot in the heart of the Oak Grove neighborhood.

Playworld, a leading commercial playground equipment manufacturer, announced the introduction of PlayHills, an innovative take on traditional hill play that dares kids to conquer new climbs and sharpen their senses. 

PLAE, a global leader in human performance solutions, announced its partnership as the Official Gym Equipment Supplier for the Australian Olympic Team. 

Surf Park Central announced that submissions have opened for the 2024 Surf Park Awards.

Respondents to the Industry Report Survey from parks and Ys were the most likely to report that they had formed partnerships with nonprofit organizations or with corporations or local businesses. 

A community forest in Maine. A pocket park in Colorado. A community park in Massachusetts. These sites are among the recipients of the 2024 L.L.Bean Community Awards, which promote greater access to nature and foster community connections. The awards were announced in partnership with Trust for Public Land.